2018 Toyota Tundra Release Date

Speculations about Toyota’s intentions to enhance the Tundra’s fuel economy have been going on for a while. It now seems imminent that the 2018 model is due to receive a Cummins turbo-diesel as well as a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The brand new oil-burner combined with the new gearbox is definitely expected to bring substantially improved fuel efficiency. Not only will the 2018 Toyota Tundra arrive with significant mechanical updates, it is also very likely to adopt certain cosmetic changes. The second generation of this popular pickup truck has been around since 2007, while it hasn’t received any major design updates after the 2014 refresh. In that sense, we expect the 2018 version to become more competitive in this relentless market segment.

2018 Toyota Tundra Engine Range

In order to improve the Tundra’s poor fuel economy figures, Toyota is expected to introduce a brand new turbo-diesel engine to its current gasoline lineup. According to several reports, the likeliest candidate for that role is the 5.0-liter Cummins turbo-diesel V8. This unit has already proven itself in the Nissan Titan in which it churns out 300 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. In addition to better fuel efficiency ratings, the Cummins engine will also offer exceptional towing capacity, outperforming even the likes of Ram’s EcoDiesel V6. As for the new transmission, same sources announce that the 2018 Toyota Tundra is likely to be using an eight-speed gearbox instead of the current one that has only six gears. The Japanese automaker has already announced that this particular transmission is due to make its debut in the upcoming Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX570 SUVs. In case these plans pan out, the upcoming Tundra will finally have what it takes to rival its formidable competition. When it comes to the existing gas-burning engine range, don’t expect any notable changes.

2018 Tundra Design Updates

Design-wise, the 2018 Toyota Tundra is expected to bring a slightly refreshed exterior styling. These changes will be focused mainly on its front end that is due to receive a revised grille as well as modified light clusters. Other than that, expect the Tundra pickup to carry over unchanged compared to its predecessor. Inside the cabin, there will be a number of subtle interventions but nothing revolutionary. One of the possible updates could come as an extended list of standard equipment, while the existing infotainment system is likely to be upgraded.

Although it’s still early to announce its official release date, we expect the 2018 Toyota Tundra go on sale in mid-2017.